Hertfordshire’s e-cigarettes policy is being taken up by other authorities

Bridgend Council will keep smokers away from primary schools

Australia: Opinion: E-cigarette ban robs smokers of a chance to quit

ASA bans child-friendly vaping advertisements

The electronic cigarette brand The Vapes has had a trio of billboard ads banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), after their cartoon imagery was found to appeal to children. The three ads, seen in December, feature stylised drawings of Father Christmas, a gingerbread man and an elf using electronic cigarettes.

The ASA said that regardless of the brand’s intention, the ads featured cartoons of well-known characters, drawn in a child-like style, which meant they were likely to appeal to people under 18. It ruled that they breached advertising rules and said they must not appear again in their current form.

A father’s nicotine use may have a significant impact on children’s risk of some diseases. In an animal study, researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School demonstrate that mice born of fathers who are habitually exposed to nicotine inherit enhanced chemical tolerance and drug clearance abilities.

“Children born of fathers who have been exposed to nicotine are programmed to be not only more resistant to nicotine toxicity, but to other chemicals as well,” said Dr. Rando, professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology. “If a similar phenomenon occurs in humans, this raises many important questions. For example, if your father smoked does that mean chemotherapy might be less effective for you?”

Pregnant women in Stoke-on-Trent receive shopping vouchers for every week they remain smokefree. At least 65 women have so far received the vouchers which are being paid for by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

19% of pregnant women smoke in Stoke-on-Trent, compared to the England average of 11%. The voucher scheme is part of measures to try to cut the number of infant deaths caused by smoking and reduce costly, complicated deliveries at hospitals.

Councillor Ann James, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “Studies on Voucher Based Reinforcement Therapy provide compelling evidence that positive reinforcement with retail vouchers creates positive changes in behaviour, and we are keen to see if this approach can improve infant health in Stoke-on-Trent.”

Hertfordshire’s e-cigarettes policy is being taken up by other authorities

An innovative policy encouraging the use of electronic cigarettes by people who want to give up smoking is being taken up by other authorities across the country.

Councillor Teresa Heritage, portfolio holder for public health, said: “Nearly half of us don’t realise that e-cigarettes are actually much less harmful than smoking as they don’t contain tobacco or the harmful products of combustion. Whilst the best option is always to quit smoking, e-cigarettes can provide an extremely good alternative for those who aren’t quite ready to give up nicotine entirely or don’t want to.”

ASH Wales is running a campaign to make all primary school gates smokefree zones. The new policy was launched on Tuesday, February 14, with all primary schools across Bridgend County following suit.

Suzanne Cass, the chief executive of ASH Wales, said: “Smoking in areas which are created specifically for our young people sends them the completely incorrect message that tobacco is a harmless part of everyday life – rather than a deadly and addictive drug.”

An opinion piece by Colin Mendelsohn, an Australian tobacco treatment specialist, criticises the ban of electronic cigarettes.

Currently, nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes are effectively prohibited in Australia. If the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s interim decision is made final in March 2017, electronic cigarette users in Australia will still not be able to buy or import nicotine for vaping without a prescription. Their only legal option would be to ask their doctor for a prescription, which doctors are generally reluctant to provide.

Those most affected will be from lower socio-economic and disadvantaged groups, which have the highest smoking rates and are hardest hit by the cost of smoking. If the current ban remains, many vapers will continue sourcing e-liquids from an unregulated and illegal black market, placing them at even greater risk.

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